Includes bibliographical references (pages 203-209) and index

Ch. One. A miracle of modern science : the medical use of cocaine -- Ch. Two. Debating the dangers of cocaine : the medical era, 1885-1895 -- Ch. Three. Making cocaine -- Ch. Four. Selling science : the pharmaceutical industry and cocaine -- Ch. Five. The transformation of cocaine use : the popular era, 1895-1920 -- Ch. Six. Private acts, public concerns : the emergence of the cocaine fiend -- Ch. Seven. The cautionary tale : cocaine and drug industry regulation -- Ch. Eight. Consumers' paradise : a shadow market emerges -- Conclusion : the foundations of modern drug control

"Spillane examines phenomena that have eluded earlier students of drug history. He explores the role of American business in fostering consumer interest in cocaine during the years when no law proscribed its use, the ways in which authorities and social agents tried nonetheless to establish informal controls on the substance, and the mixed results they achieved." "Arguing that the underground drug culture had origins other than in federal prohibition, he concludes with some thoughts on what our early experience with legalization and prohibition can tell us as we face questions about drug policy today."--Jacket

plus-circle Add Review

comment

Reviews